Some notebook vendors have voiced hopes that Intel will consider postponing the launch of its next-generation Calpella platform to after October 2009 instead of July/August as originally scheduled so as to allow vendors more time to clear Centrino 2 (Montevina) inventories, according to sources at Taiwan notebook makers.
Sales of Centrino 2-based notebooks, which were mostly introduced into the market starting last July, have been affected by the outbreak of the financial crisis in the second half of 2008 and the introduction of Atom-based netbooks, said the sources.
In addition, the penetration rate of the Montevina platform had also fallen short of Intel's target to reach 80% of its notebook platforms by the end of 2008 as the chip giant did not adopt an aggressive pricing strategy to boost Centrino 2 CPU and chipset sales on concerns that a narrowing of the price gap between Centrino 2 notebooks and Atom netbooks would chip away its own profits, the sources indicated.
Given the mounting economic uncertainty and increasing availability of netbooks expected in the first half of 2009, Intel should consider adjusting its roadmap for the Calpella platform in accordance with sales of notebooks and netbooks in the coming months, the sources argued.
Intel is scheduled to launch its Clarksfield CPUs for mid-range and high-end notebooks in July/August 2009 together with 5-series Ibexpeak-M chipsets, noted the sources, indicating that the first 5-series Ibexpeak-M chipsets will include PM55/57, HM55/57, QM57 and QS57 models.
Article translated by Steve Shen
